Little Mix were ‘bullied’ by Misha B says Tulisa

X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos has insisted that members of girl band Little Mix – formerly Rhythmix – were bullied by Misha B, leading to her comments on last weekend’s show.

The N-Dubz singer made the allegations in an interview with the Mirror, saying she felt the need to warn the 19-year-old singer about her behaviour on the show after her verbal attacks on band members reportedly left them in tears.

“The truth is, on that day, that was the second incident I had had with Rhythmix where they had come to my dressing room crying that morning over something Misha had said to them,” Tulisa said.

“If I’ve got my acts, four young girls, coming to me in tears, I was wound up that day and I thought I am going to go out there and defend my acts.”

“I’m not going to stand up there and say I love you, I think you’re great, it’s a great performance and not say the truth, which is that backstage people are crying. I am 100 per cent honest,” she added.

“I was a little bit surprised by Kelly’s reaction but do you know what, I’m not upset by it.”

Tulisa also hit out at Kelly’s decision to fly to the US this week, calling herself a “full-time judge” – and added that they have refused to speak to each other since the argument.

“Other than what you see on air, Kelly and I are not speaking,” the singer admitted.

“At the end of the day it is a competition and I’m getting on with it. I’m mature enough to take it on the chin. She can talk to me and we can sort it out, but if she doesn’t want to sort it out we don’t have to talk. I’ll just get on with it.

“I don’t feel I have to make the first move or apologise,” she pointed out, “because I have done nothing wrong.”

It was revealed earlier on Saturday that Kelly would miss this weekend’s shows after a throat infection left her too ill to travel back to the UK.

There was speculation that Nicole Scherzinger – who is due to perform on Sunday’s results show – would stand in for her, but producers have reportedly now changed their mind. At the moment it is unclear whether Kelly will be replaced.